Earth Lights From ISS

While moving at 17,000 miles per hour at an altitude of 240 miles above the Earth's surface on the International Space Station, NASA astronaut Don Petit was able to capture the lights from our planet in a unique way. His time-lapse photographs—taken from this unusual vantage point—feature star trails, terrestrial lights, and auroras. This image and others like them show how much artificial light from technology leaks into our shared night sky. Efforts are being made around the world to limit this so-called light pollution and keep the night skies dark for everyone to enjoy.